How the AF Employee Assistance Program can help during COVID-19

COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- To help relieve some of the worries people may have as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Air Force Employee Assistance Program’s resources continue to be available for those that need them.

According to William Sherman, 14th Flying Training Wing community support coordinator, the program provides a variety of needs from one-on-one counseling sessions with a licensed, credentialed master’s degree professional who can address significant challenges such as coping with stress from COVID-19 and prevention and treatment, Sherman said.

EAP is accessible 24/7 by all Air Force civilian personnel (APF and NAF), Guard/Reserve and family members.

“As active-duty personnel, you have all kinds of helping agencies,” said Sherman, who is the main point of contact at Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi, when people have questions about the program and the services provided.

“There are a lot of civilians who are not prior military or retirees on base,” he said. “This is a program to help them be provided with the same services you would have access to.”

Sherman said the Air Force EAP offers a variety of amenities to meet the essentials of everyone – including online tips, checklists, in-depth articles, live and on-demand webinars, discussion groups, a health encyclopedia and more.

“The Air Force Employee Assistance Program was made to offer guidance and relief to those who have anxiety during times like these,” Sherman said. “It will continue to provide services during the COVID-19 outbreak and can be utilized at home for those employees currently teleworking.”

For more information or questions about the Air Force EAP call Sherman at 662-434-1617.

To access the Air Force EAP website, go to www.AFPC.AF.MIL/EAP or call 1-866-580-9078.